Iowa begins critical run for post season

Iowa coach Steve Alford believes more than three teams from the Big Ten will make it to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes are currently fourth in the league race with a 6-5 record and the Hawkeyes begin the stretch run of the regular season tomorrow night at home against Northwestern.

Alford says the finish will be important for all the teams in the league, including his. Alford says it is critical that the Hawkeyes don’t get caught looking at the big picture. He says they’ve broken it down into seasons, the first one is Northwestern.

Alford says every win is crucial right now as each game now has "incredible meaning." Northwestern is just 2-9 in the Big Ten but the Wildcats have given the Hawkeyes fits the past few years with their methodical style of play. Northwestern has won four of the last five meetings.

Northwestern coach Bill Carmody says the Hawkeyes have surpassed expectations during the league race. Carmody is 6-5 against Iowa during his time at Northwestern but says there is no secret to that success. He says they’ve had some close games and they’ve beaten them on close games and that’s all there is to it. Iowa is 14-11 overall. Northwestern is 12-12.